Makers and Partners Urge Tax Education to Boost Revenue

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

Associate Partner–Advisory at Makers and Partners (MAP), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has called for a deliberate intensification of public education on taxation, describing it as a critical tool for improving tax compliance and strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation.

She noted that effective revenue mobilisation remains the backbone of national development, funding public infrastructure, social services and economic transformation. According to her, one of the biggest obstacles to improved tax performance in Ghana is limited public understanding of tax obligations, processes and benefits.

COP Addo-Danquah stressed that simplifying and demystifying the tax system through sustained education will help widen the tax net, reduce resistance to compliance and encourage voluntary participation, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking at an Executive Business Dialogue organised by MAP, she revealed that data from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to show significant gaps in tax compliance. According to the figures she cited, income tax compliance currently stands at just 33 per cent, leaving a worrying 67 per cent compliance gap. Value Added Tax (VAT) compliance is similarly low at 39 per cent, with a 61 per cent gap.

“These numbers show that enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Education, awareness and trust-building must go hand in hand with reforms if we want sustainable revenue mobilisation,” she said.

The Executive Business Dialogue, themed “Navigating Tax and Fiscal Reforms: Building Resilient SMEs,” brought together business leaders, tax professionals and policy stakeholders to discuss how businesses can navigate Ghana’s evolving tax and fiscal landscape.

Discussions at the forum focused on the need for resilience amid increasing compliance requirements, urging SMEs to adopt proactive and strategic approaches to business sustainability. Participants were encouraged to see tax compliance not just as an obligation, but as part of sound corporate governance and long-term growth planning.

COP Addo-Danquah underscored the central role of SMEs in Ghana’s economy, noting that the sector accounts for a significant share of employment and economic activity. She said it is therefore essential for SMEs to leverage professional advisory services to strengthen governance, improve compliance and drive growth.

She highlighted MAP’s suite of services, including advisory, tax, audit assurance and accountancy, and encouraged businesses to take advantage of professional support to better understand reforms and manage compliance risks.

Also speaking at the event, the Acting Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) of the GRA, Dr. Martin Kolbil Yamborigya, disclosed that the Authority is rolling out a comprehensive three-year tax education programme targeting both registered and unregistered businesses across the country.

He explained that as part of ongoing reforms, the GRA has introduced e-invoicing systems and is preparing to launch a National Compliance and Enforcement Team aimed at ensuring that all eligible businesses are registered and paying their taxes.

According to Dr. Yamborigya, these measures are intended to create a fair, transparent and efficient tax system in which all businesses contribute their rightful share to national development.

Head of Tax Advisory at MAP, Miss Patience Oware, noted that Ghana’s evolving tax and fiscal environment, characterised by frequent reforms, rising compliance demands and fiscal consolidation measures, continues to pose significant challenges for SME sustainability.

She observed that many SMEs struggle with tax filing, understanding new reforms, maintaining proper records and meeting statutory deadlines, challenges which she said often constrain growth and limit access to finance.

Miss Oware explained that the Executive Business Dialogue was designed specifically to bridge this knowledge gap and equip SMEs with practical insights to navigate the changing tax landscape.

“Some businesses do not have direct access to the GRA, so we created this platform to help them understand the new reforms and what is required of them,” she said.